Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/197

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FRANCES BEAUMONT.
191

comes more immediate and home to them than a popular school girl. Her circle is small, but its triumph is complete.

Fanny Beaumont was courted and flattered by every member of the little society of which she was the star. Her mistress was proud of the elegant and accomplished pupil who did her establishment such credit, nor was she insensible to the large bills duly paid, nor to the handsome presents which wound up every year in the most agreeable manner. With the teachers she was an equal favourite, her liberality was unbounded, and her purse always well filled, but that was little compared with the kindly manner in which she conferred a favour: a lively temper, a constant readiness to afford assistance, made her equally beloved by her companions, and in Fanny Beaumont’s case the old proverb had no truth, that a favourite has no friends. In her case every possible advantage seemed realised. The darling of wealthy parents, neither pains nor cost were spared on her education, and